Jakarta. West Java provincial government on Wednesday (08/02) gave Rp 238 billion ($17.8 million) bonuses to its best high-achieving athletes who participated in last year's 19th National Sports Week, or PON XIX, and 15th National Paralympics Week, or Peparnas XV.

West Java contingent was the major winner in both events, with 195 gold medals at the PON XIX and 178 gold medals at the Peparnas.

"This is not really a bonus, this is a gesture to appreciate the athletes. We hope they will be more motivated and have emotional attachment to West Java," head of West Java's Youth and Sports Agency Yudha Munajat Saputra told Antara.

West Java handed Rp 164 billion to the athletes who participated in PON XIX and Rp 74 billion to its Peparnas XV contestants.

According to regulations, to represent a province in the National Sports Week, an athlete must have been its permanent resident for at least two years.